Eye Eye!!
 

One of the many complaints and challenges encountered on landfill sites is that we cannot see below the surface. The extensive monitoring data that is required provides a very good picture of what is actually occurring. However what the eye cannot see the mind makes up.. so to speak. The CCTV camera provides a good visual aid, whether to demonstrate that problems are able to be remediated or to identify that other measures should be taken. In many instance we have identified that leachate levels are not excessively high but that small misalignments in concrete rings have provided enough area to allow water to pond and sufficient access difficulties to base, to make you believe that you have a greater problem. Another key factor is the presence of foam. Some sites exhibit high levels of foam in the wells again this data can distort any trends. We undertake a number of quarterly contracts where information is provided to the Environment Agency, however these results can also be used as a gauge to the silt build up. Over a period of a year, the scaling and encrustations on some wells can seem to increase and the basal leachate levels can also be seen to become almost slurry like. This allows operators to establish proactive maintenance on the most deserving wells. As well as the many other benefits of ensuring data is correct these units will also identify the extent of any failures and blockages and aid us with our hydraulic and suction equipment in retrieving them. KCP consider that the CCTV unit is integral to the ongoing proactive maintenance of wells and have a large portfolio of material to back this up.

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 DSEAR again....
 

As mentioned in a previous newsletter the introduction of the DSEAR Regs highlighted various practices that would require to be reviewed. As wells are usually designated as Zone 1 under guidance from ICoP 2, all electrical equipment has to be certified. KCP now use an explosion proof Flexicoiler system which has the following features. · Pushrod inspection system suitable for inspecting pipes in explosive 'Zone 1' environments. It has 2" (50mm) Auto upright Colour camera with 150m of rod. · Explosive environment capability. · Rugged, reliable, proven system. · Zone 1 [Ex] and [Fm] certified. We can also do side viewing as well as forward. This would be particularly helpful where damage and misalignment of joints are noted. So providing a clearer view of failure. Failure of wells in our experience are down to one or two factors only and monitoring of these would allow operators to ensure that construction activities could be amended to reduce the percentages of failures. This new model of camera whilst being compliant with the DSEAR Regs also gives a greater flexibility in viewing. Sit back and enjoy!

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 Construction & Design Improvement
 Keep It Simple!

The use of CCTV is important with regards to longevity of manholes, as well as the chemical processes that occur within the depths of the waste mass. Many of our surveys identify clear structural instability in manholes, at the early stages of failure. Predominantly the failure of wells, either structurally or simply an inability to carry out functions they were intended for, fall into three categories: poor construction, chemical breakdown and fires. Poor construction can be noted in more recent manhole construction where the principal component is the solid wall HDPE pipe. Poor construction has been noted as inadequate backfill to the pipes hence reducing the sidewall strength that the pipe can take. Basic Civil Engineering principals. Pipes have lateral buckling parameters and vertical loadings that they can sustain. Gravel or stone surround is generally specified to distribute the loads evenly and avoid point loads. Invariably this surround is either not considered important or a poorer quality stone is considered suitable. Whilst these occur infrequently there are very definite trends visible on sites where waste streams, methods of compaction etc all contribute to the longevity of this structure. Not to put to fine a point on it the maintenance of these points is pivotal to the whole issue of leachate compliance on a site. These wells do not have to have complicated structural details they need to be of a material suitable to sustain chemical and biological degradation, straight (ish) and accessible for pumps. However monitoring of degradation, even if this only shows a build up of encrustations and siltation at the base allow the visual state of the well to be analysed and used along with all other monitoring data. The gassy nature of some wells are not always apparent as the gas loiters at the bottom of the well, along with the foam and the debris!

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